The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a fantastic camera, but it seems that enough owners of the new Samsung flagship have experienced errors that Verizon is taking support action to rectify. The error, simply described as "Warning: Camera Failed" freezes the camera app on launch and requires a reboot of the phone. Needless to say, that's not an acceptable issue for any user, and Galaxy S5 owners that encounter the issue are being advised to contact their carrier support for assistance.

The issue has proven prevalent enough that Verizon took to Twitter, telling Galaxy S5 customers plagued by the waring that they should contact Verizon support (@VZWsupport, naturally), and that they may just end up replacing the phone:

There's some sort of fatal glitch affecting a portion of the user base of Galaxy S5 owners. It's not everybody — we haven't encountered this on any Galaxy S5 in our possession, but it's enough users and bad enough that the carriers are resorting to replacing the phone outright. What exactly is wrong, we're not certain — all we can say right now is that if you are seeing this glitch, you should go ahead and contact your carrier for support.

Reader comments

what they're not telling you is there gonna give you a refurbished phone. Every GS5 on every network is having this issue. I'm sure samsung is working on a fix in the mean time I've heard that using the google camera works fine. I would be holding onto my new 200 device there's no way I would settle for a refurb

Hard to believe your statement. ""what they're not telling you is there gonna give you a refurbished phone. Every GS5 on every network is having this issue.""

We can't use the forums as a census, but so far it's just Verizon and Sprint GS5's. Also, where would they even get hundreds or thousands of "REFURBISHED" GS5's from when the phone just came out? Most phones take months before refurbished ones are available to hand out, i know this from experience with swapping out old Blackberry's, my HTC One X's and my Optimus G with a new one after 2-3 months.

Simply because if the issue is somehow hardware related...whose to say that refurb you receive isn't also affected? And, because Samsung has not provided a fix, I think it is probably more wise to hang on for a while until a fix has been identified then return it as necessary.

This "Camera Failed" message is not new. It's been a problem with Samsung phones going back to at least the S2. Had it happen with my Note 2 once. Was able to fix it myself, but it required root access to do it.

i had the issue on my m8 it turned out to be lastpass . I had to set the camera as an exempt app in lastpass. What happened was the camera would only open in landscape mode, in portrait it would error out and crash. After putting the camera app on the exempt list in last pass it worked fine on the m8. Haven't had the issue on my verizon S5 at all and I do have lastpass installed.. Hope this info may help someone.

I had a similar problem with S Health after I disabled it and re-enabled. I uninstalled the S Health update and it worked again. Maybe the camera software need a reset. But after using the M8 for 2 weeks and then switching over to the S5, I can confirm that Sense 6 is smoother and better optimized.

Depends on the country. Also, Best Buy charges about $100 more than the carriers, generally, for the same devices. *NEVER* buy your phone outright from Best Buy, unless they're offering some kind of sale.

Unfortunately, it's a different kinda thing. I'm not sure how Steve Jobs got the carriers to not put bloatware on there, but he was notorious for being able to get those kind of deals. I'd be a little surprised if we were ever able to get that same deal with Android devices. I'd be less surprised if the carriers started doing it to iPhones.

Lol Sprint literally bricked my friend's S2 with its ota update - no signal = battery drain (5 hours on stand by) and after many complaints all he got was "sorry we can't reverse it and you have to wait for the new update..." After 2 weeks he bought an iPhone.
I had similar issues with s3 on vzw too.
Idk why, but somehow these 2 carriers are the worst when it comes to software management and Android.
Since I have 0 issues w Moto X now, I'm scared to upgrade. :) I'll do it when it dies on me.
I guess Apple simply don't let them touch the phone.
VZW Moto X

Unfortunately, I know from experience that this is not a new thing for Samsung phones. Had something like this happen with my Note 2 once. A quick Google search shows people reporting this issue going back a few years. Luckily, I was able to fix mine, because I had root access, but it's going to be a problem otherwise. Hopefully Sammy's able to get this resolved quickly.

Hi. I have rooted S5 with camera failed error. How did you manage to get your camera to work? I did memory card trick at first that helped. Turned phone off, took memory card out, switched phone on, did nothing, turned phone off, put card back in, swiched phone on and camera worked. After 2 restarts it wont work anymore. Warranty is voided because of these f..ing small scratches on one corner.

Holy Crap almost returned my Note 3 because I would get a "camera failed" everytime i wanted to take a picture. After a few hours of Googling and resets and wiping cache and data and what not I found out uninstalling Go Flashlight app fixed it instantly.

Sprint is NOT replacing the devices unless you file an insurance claim and pay for it. Your other options are be without a phone and send to Samsung for repairs, upgrade(if eligible) or buy a phone outright for an outrageous amount.

Samsung Mobile Phone is the disappointment of all NO SMART NO GUARANTEED PHONES,
Purchased anew Edge phone from Australia Telstra ,Feb 2015 Got some dampness in the phone 4 weeks after purchase of $1200 dollar asking price , Took it to Rooks Rd in Melbourne Samsung all chanting customer utopia help acceptance of guarantee will bend over to assist make good and satisfy all customers ---This Samsung utopia must be on another planet
Had to pay $55 dollars for them to fill in the failed phone form , the communication was none existence --picked up the phone after 3 wks new MEA front -OCTA assembly complete new complete A/S Assembly -PBA Main (Asia)
The total; repair was not under guarantee the cause and effect cost $541.76, which I duly paid grudgingly
THEN when we all got home to be a SAMSUNG VICTIM, we used the mobile effects of the phone with glee
Then next day we tried the camera –RESULT----------WARNING CAMERA FAILED---
Connected Utopia Rooks Rd Samsung -----NO UTOPIA GUARANTEE but first up before any utopian service, demanding another $55 to fill in a fixit form ,and next breath informed me the Cost of the new Camera is TO BE PAID FOR BY a NO GUARANTEED you pay yourself on a brand new NO GUANTEED SAMSUNG product. Samsung Corporation bully tactics by Corporate sophisticated rip offs

The BRAND NEW fixed Galaxy edge note phone is now as good as an old brick phone, but skinnier and has twinkling lights. the Talk listen and gossip elements of humane behavior is still responding --BUT the $1200 cash paid the tetra plan the expectations paid for by cash and hope are all noted in the Guarantee NOT WORKING ---your fault your problem none return of information , not interested and Samsung staff in Rooks Rd are very pleasant but that does not Samsung the guarantee to the problem ---NO VIEW NO PICTURES NO CAMERA lots of NOTHINGNESS and a please fill in the form pay your $55 and we will speak About your problem while hiding behind 50 Samsung lawyers and a Samsung bully policy to get rid of you your problem and your complaint. CLICK goes the CASH but not the camera.

No Camera still,---whacko -- SAMSUNG CAMERA FAILED ---even though I paid upfront --YES upfront to get the phone fixed by Samsungs magnificent Customer Service
PAID $650 hard earned dollars to a nice receptionist for the so called fixed phone , The receptionist technician was so pleasant and nice, as she quickly handed me the Phone in a wrapped up box and got me to sign a completion note --Which was quickly filed on the system in their Samsung back office. ------
3mths NOW -----NO RESOLUTION my $650 cash paid is now GONE into their Corporation banks, paying for unfinished Samsung Customer Survive $650 cash making them 10% interest on the monies as well ‘
6.16.15

this may help some as I've had this same BS camera failed message on my galaxy s5 from Rogers in Canada. Get yourself a flashlight app. Turn on your light. turn it off. close app and now try Camera? Did it work? It does and has for me. Good luck

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